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Thomas praises Demons' 'tremendous' opening-day efforts

From staff, wire reports
11:47 p.m. CDT August 5, 2014

Northwestern State offensive coordinator Ben Norton (left) and special teams coordinator August Mangin (right, rear) work with sophomore defensive end JeMarcus Marshall (1), as he learns the right wing position on the Demons’ field goal unit. Also pictured is junior tight end Zach White (88).
(Photo:
NSU Sports Information
)

NATCHITOCHES – Second-year coach Jay Thomas was impressed with the effort and efficiency on Tuesday when Northwestern State opened fall football practice.

"I thought it was a tremendous first day," Thomas said. "Watching how the guys learned, seeing their effort, it was very impressive, one of the better first days I've ever been around. We have an intent about us, a workmanlike attitude, and we need to maintain that when we put the pads on."

The Demons practiced for just under two hours in shorts and helmets on Tuesday. They will go through Fall Sports Media Day activities today before a 4:30 p.. practice, then will slip on shoulder pads for the first time in camp on Thursday, heading toward their first extended scrimmage action of camp on Saturday morning.

Tuesday's workout featured a format change aimed at speeding the learning process. After two spring practices and last season's routine followed the same general practice plan, Thomas took time away from the Demons' kickers and returners at the start of practice and moved the bulk of special teams work to the end of the day.

"We have so many young players in camp, we're doing a little more walk-through prior to practice getting started, so we can get offensive plays down, get the defense the chance to put in blitzes and get alignments straight earlier in camp," he said. "It's a good lead into practice, a good followup from our morning and afternoon meetings, to go out and walk through. That's how you learn: seeing it, saying it, hearing it and then doing it."

Thomas also was pleased with his team's conditioning as the cooler temperatures of recent weeks gave way to steamy, humid weather just in time for the start of practice.

"We're not at 95 (players in camp), we're waiting on a couple of guys, but we only had seven who didn't meet the conditioning standard," Thomas said. "I thought we were in tremendous shape. Our kids worked hard this summer, our strength and conditioning staff did a great job, and we're going to make progress faster because of it."

The Demons will practice at least once a day through Aug. 22, then start game week preparations for the Aug. 28 opener in Turpin Stadium against Missouri State.

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